They’re baaack. The Ravens, which put the nevermore in Denver’s dream of winning a Super Bowl last season, are back in town for the 2013 NFL lid-lifter. What concerns you the most about this game?

I say it’s Baltimore pass-rusher Elvis Dumervil, back to get revenge and create mayhem. Oren Lomena of The Press Box is worried about young Denver running backs playing good assignment football against Baltimore’s stout defense. And Peter Burns? He ain’t worried about nuthin’.

Watch us discuss what Denver needs to worry about against Baltimore up above.

Matt Russell has made football in Colorado great, from his days as a decorated linebacker for the CU Buffs to his role building the Broncos into a Super Bowl contender as an executive with the local NFL team. In the mountain town of Breckenridge over the Fourth of July weekend, Russell was arrested on multiple charges, including DUI and careless driving, after his truck collided with a police SUV.

So how does the NFL respond? Commissioner Roger Goodell is often applauded for protecting the league shield, when he suspends players for off-field trouble. Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall was fined more than $50,000 and missed a game in 2008 due to suspension. Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand was suspended for 30 days and fined $100,000 after he pleaded guilty to driving while impaired in 2010. While Russell has apologized, punishment from the league seems likely. What should it be? Listen to Peter Burns of Mile High Sports Radio and I discuss it here:

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Tailgating and alcohol are almost as much a part of the NFL’s game day experience as stadium video boards and cheerleaders. So do you view Russell with compassion, or anger?

Kick it with Kiz and Peter Burns by joining the discussion on Mile High Sports Radio Monday through Friday from 7-9 a.m. At 93.7 FM and 1510 AM.

The Broncos are the buzz of not only Denver, but also the entire NFL, as quarterback Peyton Manning tries to lead them to the Super Bowl. How hot a ticket are the Broncos? Single-game sales open July 8. If two good seats set you back $500, what home game would you plunk down your hard-earned money to see in person?

The must-see game on the home schedule for me is Washington in late October, when our old friend Mike Shanahan brings RG3 and the gang to town. Peter Burns of Mile High Sports Radio says the season opener against Baltimore has the most appeal. But the real issue is: Would you rather keep the cash in your wallet and watch the game on television at home? Listen to us argue it out here:

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Is $500 better spent on premium seats to a big Broncos game, or as a down payment on a giant-screen television?

Kick it with Kiz and Peter Burns by joining the discussion on Mile High Sports Radio Monday through Friday from 7-9 a.m. At 93.7 FM and 1510 AM.

Petyon Manning is America’s quarterback. We like to cheer for him. That’s an understatement. Heck, America would like to pile into the backseat of his Buick and go get a cold one with Manning. On the other hand, Miami Heat star LeBron James is polarizing. He wins. He offends our sensibility of fair play. He sells $180 sneakers.

But know what? James now has four MVP awards and two championships. Manning can match the four MVPs. But he only has one championship, back when he played for Indianapolis. The pressure is on Manning to win this year. In Denver. Listen here to Peter Burns of Mile High Sports Radio and I discuss what’s on the line for Manning’ legacy:

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Is it harder to win one Super Bowl than back-to-back NBA championships? Who’s your guy? Peyton? Or LeBron?

Kick it with Kiz and Peter Burns by joining the discussion on Mile High Sports Radio Monday through Friday from 7-9 a.m. At 93.7 FM and 1510 AM.

On his way out the Pepsi Center door, coach George Karl called the thought process of his boss “very stupid.” Hmm, I wonder why negotiations on a contract extension with Nuggets president Josh Kroenke didn’t got very well.

In pro sports, it’s often about the money. Broncos offensive tackle Ryan Clady is balking at the franchise tag put on him by the local NFL team. And he hears criticism of being selfish for his dissatisfaction with an offer that would pay him $9.8 million this season. Clady seeks a long-term deal.

After being bounced in the first round of the playoffs yet again, Karl sought a long-term deal, rather than being satisfied with serving out the final year of a contract scheduled to pay him $4.5 million. When negotiations broke down, Karl tried to portray himself as a victim of what he called stupid thinking by Nuggets management.

Why do we think players are greedy when they want more financial security, yet a coach is a lame duck if he is burdened with working in the final year of his contract? I think it’s a double standard. Listen to Lance Britton of Mile High Sports Radio and I discuss it here:

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I’m on the side of Clady and against Karl. Doesn’t mean I’m right. What say you?

See ya, Willis McGahee. The Broncos cut him. Yes, the team sent its leading rusher of the past two seasons packing, weeks before training camp. Why do you think they call the NFL the Not For Long?

McGahee had to see this coming, and hinted as much when I talked to him earlier this week. Recent draft choices Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman are the backs of the future in Denver. McGahee had the bad combination of being over 30 years and the owner of a $2.5 million salary. Worse, he was coming off injury. And skipped voluntary workouts. And wasn’t always happy with his salary. You get the picture.

Will the Broncos regret releasing McGahee? Or would he have been a malcontent if not a starter? Listen to Lance Britton of Mile High Sports Radio and I discuss it here:

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Are you sorry to see McGahee go? Or will he not be missed on the road to the Super Bowl?

Kick it with Kiz and Peter Burns by joining the discussion on Mile High Sports Radio Monday through Friday from 7-9 a.m. At 93.7 FM and 1510 AM.

Broncos star Peyton Manning says repeatedly: He’s the quarterback. Not the coach or the general manager. But he lives to win. And the hottest debate in training camp might be: Who should start at running back for the Broncos? Rookie Montee Ball? Veteran Willis McGahee? Somebody else?

Tell you what: Ball is very impressive. His resume at Wisconsin was chock full of yards and touchdowns. What’s more, his maturity and devotion to football has to resonate with Manning. McGahee is not quite so earnest. He’s a pro, to be sure. But McGahee also marches to his own beat. And he didn’t participate in “voluntary” workouts. Is Ball more suited to work with Manning? And should attitude matter? Listen to Oren Lomena and I argue it out here:

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What do you think? Can scoring brownie points with Manning get additional carries for Ball? Should it matter? Or is it all about moving the sticks?

Kick it with Kiz and Peter Burns by joining the discussion on Mile High Sports Radio Monday through Friday from 7-9 a.m. At 93.7 FM and 1510 AM.

The Broncos are on the road to the Super Bowl. Their roster is loaded with top-notch veterans, from quarterback Peyton Manning to cornerback Champ Bailey. But as Bailey has taught me: “A team is only as good as its young players.” To win a championship, Denver needs a promising young player, either cornerback Chris Harris or defensive lineman Derek Wolfe, to blossom into a bona fide star.

Here’s the good news: Both Harris and Wolfe have Pro Bowl potential, Pro Bowl work ethic and Pro Bowl ambition. So which one gets to the Pro Bowl first? I’m guessing Wolfe. Lance Britton of Mile High Sports Radio tabs Harris. We have our reasons. Listen to us state the cases for Harris and Wolfe here:

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What say you? Will Harris or Wolfe have a bigger impact on Broncos’ success in 2013?

Kick it with Kiz and Peter Burns by joining the discussion on Mile High Sports Radio Monday through Friday from 7-9 a.m. At 93.7 FM and 1510 AM.

If it were truly a race to win the starting running back job with the Broncos, Ronnie Hillman would win by two strides over Montee Ball, Knowshon Moreno and the rest of the field. Hillman is fast. But, as a rookie a year ago, he too often looked like a kid among men in the NFL. And no wonder. He didn’t celebrate his 21st birthday until last September. His body was not mature.

So the question is: After adding 15 pounds of muscle, is Hillman ready to carry a bigger load in Denver? Can he be more than a change-of-pace back? And if Hillman can be trusted to carry the football 15 times a game, does that push veteran Willis McGahee out the door at Dove Valley? Listen to Lance Britton of Mile High Sports Radio and I discuss it here:

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I was not sold on Hillman as a rookie, but am anxious to see if he can improve significantly with maturity in his second pro season. How many yards do you expect Hillman to gain in 2013? 300 yards? 500? 750? More?

Kick it with Kiz and Peter Burns by joining the discussion on Mile High Sports Radio Monday through Friday from 7-9 a.m. At 93.7 FM and 1510 AM.

If star power means anything, the Broncos should be the favorite to win the Super Bowl during the upcoming 2013 season. What is the only NFL team that can boast two of the top 10 players in the league? Not the Baltimore Ravens. Not the Green Bay Packers. Not the New England Patriots. The answer is: Your Denver Broncos.

Quarterback Peyton Manning is the fourth-best player in the NFL, and linebacker Von Miller ranks No. 8 among all league players, according to a list compiled by cbssports.com, which took input from NFL general managers, coaches, players and, of course, the videotape. Pete Prisco, a senior NFL columnist for the CBS website, and I discussed what having Manning and Miller among the top 10 means to the Broncos. Listen to our conversation here:

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Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is No. 1 on the list. Do you agree? And is it reasonable to expect Manning can be the second-best QB in the league at age 37?

Kick it with Kiz and Peter Burns by joining the discussion on Mile High Sports Radio Monday through Friday from 7-9 a.m. At 93.7 FM and 1510 AM.

Peter Burns is a radio show host for Fox Sports Radio and Mile High Sports Radio in Denver. He is a former collegiate athlete and grew up in Baton Rouge, La. A self-proclaimed fan-analyst, Peter has covered every major sport for over a decade, including four NBA Championships with the San Antonio Spurs.